Why Edward Cabrera’s "Elite Stuff" Faces a Steep Test in the Bronx

The New York Yankees and Miami Marlins are having conversations about a trade involving RHP Edward Cabrera, according to The Athletic.

About Cabrera's Stuff

In 2025, Cabrera’s stuff was defined by elite velocity and a unique arsenal where his offspeed pitches often moved faster than many MLB fastballs. He utilizes a five-pitch mix, led by a changeup that is one of the hardest in baseball history.

Cabrera’s changeup is his signature pitch. In 2025, it averaged 94.2 mph, which is faster than the league-average four-seam fastball (94.1 mph). This high velocity, combined with roughly 18 inches of horizontal movement, makes it exceptionally difficult for hitters to distinguish from his sinker.

His overall whiff rate of 29.4% (78th percentile) is driven largely by the changeup and curveball. His breaking and offspeed run values were +10 and +5 respectively, contrasting sharply with his struggling four-seamer.

Historically, Cabrera’s elite "stuff" was undermined by walks. In 2025, he improved his walk rate to a career-best 8.3% (up from a league-worst 15.2% in 2023), allowing his high-velocity arsenal to play more effectively in the strike zone

The problem pitch for Cabrera has been his fastball. Despite sitting at 97 mph and touching triple digits, his four-seamer results in a high volume of flyballs and was his least effective pitch by run value. In 2025, he compensated by reducing its usage to just 12.7%, favoring his sinker and offspeed pitches to better utilize his movement. The wOBA on his fastball in 2025 was .404. To put that into context, league average wOBA on a fastball is .338. The good thing is Cabrera knows that his fastball is weak, and he does not throw it as much as his other pitches.

Cabrera's Fit in New York

The fit with the Yankees, specifically in Yankee Stadium and the AL East should be a concern for the Yankees. Cabrera’s results at home in Miami were starkly different from his performance on the road. The spacious dimensions of loanDepot park allowed his flyball-heavy approach to thrive, whereas smaller parks punished those same hits. Yankee Stadium is known to yield the home run ball.

Analyzing Edward Cabrera’s 2025 campaign, the influence of loanDepot park remains a central theme. While he achieved a career-best ERA, the underlying metrics suggest the ballpark acted as a significant safety net.

The most telling stat is the HR/9 (Home Runs per 9 innings). Cabrera gave up more than double the home runs per inning on the road compared to his starts in Miami. This is a classic indicator of a pitcher being protected by a pitcher-friendly park.